If you're one of my neighbors, sorry! Sofia and I had this idea to do a last minute centerpiece for the holidays scrounged from items found in the neighborhood. Out here in Southern California, we don't get too many White Christmases. Our holidays are, always have been, and probably always will be, a distinctly vibrant shade of green. But that's okay! Growing up here, I've learned to see palm trees as festively as most people see pine trees, and birds of paradise as merry as any winter berries.
With scissors in hand, we tooled around the neighborhood stopping from time to time to borrow some branches from some bountiful plants. Most of them were from the more public sidewalk areas and giant medians of LA boulevards. Only one frond clipping got my heart racing for fear of someone coming out of their house to apprehend me as I snipped. Again, sorry neighbor! ...But look how pretty the bouquet turned out!?
If you're out of time, out of range, let this uber-simple DIY save the day and get to clipping from around your hood.
Prep It:
Palm fronds, or assorted foliage from wherever you live! Birds of paradise, or flowers from your area Large heavy vase Floral wire (helps with the large heavy leaves)
Do It!:
- Fill your vase 1/3 of the way with water, then arrange your flowers and branches into a bouquet. I focused on giving my display height, to emulate a Christmas tree. But, depending on the flora that grows in your area, you might want to focus on width, or color.
- Use floral wire if needed to wrap around the stem and run up the stalk of some of the heavier leaves or palm fronds to make them stand up straighter and not flop over.
- That's it! Now display proudly (but don't invite your neighbors over to see ;).)
